After my son’s birth in 2009 I knew there had to be another way to birth than just following what the doctor and nurses said. He was a medicated vacuum assisted vaginal birth that had major complications postpartum. I didn’t come to terms with this birth until he was almost 3. Somewhere along the line I knew I wanted to become a doula, so I could help women have a better birth experience than I did.

 

In 2012 I took the DONA Birth Doula training with Gerri Ryan and Care Messer in San Diego while 12 weeks pregnant with my surrogate baby. My life was forever changed. I knew this was my calling, and I was exactly where I was supposed to be. My son’s birth was not in vain, because it led me to this profession.

 

November 2012 I gave birth unmedicated, squatting on the hospital bed surrounded by my amazing birth team. Her birth was such an empowering and healing experience for me. The support I had from my doula, doctor, birth photographer, and my surrogate baby’s fathers was so important to me, and a 180 from my son’s birth. Again, my life was forever changed. Not only because I helped create a family, but because I trusted my body, and it served me well.

 

UPDATE: A lot has changed, wow! Since moving back to my hometown in Montana, so much growth and unfolding has happened. I lost two babies via miscarriage. I gained an amazing circle of friends in the birth community. I began supporting surrogates through their IVF transfers, and throughout their journeys. Most recently, I gave birth to my youngest kiddo who's 10. His birth story is kind of crazy, but the short version: precipitous, unmedicated, accidental unassisted in the back seat of my car in a Target parking lot.